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HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR IS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

CHESAPEAKE – Doris “Cookie” Palacios, Director of Chesapeake’s Human Services Department, will be the keynote speaker at the United Way of South Hampton Roads Women’s Initiative Luncheon on Thursday, March 13. The sold-out lunch and program, “Set a Course for Philanthropy,” begins at noon at Half Moone Cruise & Celebration Center in Norfolk.

Palacios will speak about problem solving today, and finding financial stability tomorrow.

After attending Hampton Institute, Palacios earned a degree in sociology with a psychology minor. She then went on to obtain her Master’s degree in social work administration with specialization in epidemiology and public health management from the University of Pittsburgh.

In 1980, she was selected as the University of Pittsburgh’s Scholar for Social Work Practice. She later attended the Institute for Real Estate Management where she received her Certified Property Management (CPM) credentials.

Palacios competed in a national competition and won the Grace Dodge National Fellowship Award for Social Work Practice. She was also selected for Operations Crossroads Africa, Inc., where she lived and worked in Liberia, West Africa for five months. 

It was in September 1996 when Palacios came to Chesapeake as the Director of Human Services. She oversees such divisions as Social Services, Chesapeake Juvenile Services and the Interagency Consortium.

Palacios has served as a United Way of South Hampton Roads volunteer. She also provides her expertise to many other boards, commissions and organizations within Hampton Roads.